Plans to revamp the Scottish Enterprise network have come under fire from unions and political opponents.

But some business groups have welcomed the proposals to scrap 21 Local Enterprise Companies and Local Enterprise Forums and replace them with six regional operations.

The training functions of both Scottish Enterprise and HIE will be transferred to join Careers Scotland and Learn Direct Scotland in forming a new Individual Skills Authority.

Local authorities would also be given a new key role in running the Business Gateway network and as a lead in local regeneration projects.

Scottish Enterprise (SE) staff and their local government counterparts will eventually be located in the same offices. Government ministers will also sit with the chairs and chief executives of SE, HIE and Visit Scotland in a new Scottish Enterprise Forum.

The new forums will cover Grampian, Tayside, East Central Scotland, South of Scotland and West Central Scotland while HIE will stay a single region.

Visit Scotland will also align its operations to the new enterprise regions.

Finance Secretary John Swinney presented the proposals to Parliament and promised there would be no compulsory redundancies. Lib Dem enterprise spokesman Tavish Scott claimed the SNP government had created even more confusion.

He said: "This is the wrong decision for Scotland's economy. The economy will not grow by stripping away local business expertise in favour of remote, centralised, civil servant led decision making."

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: " The STUC is disappointed by the Cabinet Secretary's announcement. Separating responsibility for skills and business support will only undermine efforts to improve Scotland's poor record in skills utilisation.

The Federation of Small Businesses welcomed the plans but warned: "Business owners are concerned about how local authorities will manage the Business Gateway, and how 32 local authorities will provide a consistent standard of service across Scotland."

David Watt, of the Institute of Directors said: "The Institute of Directors in Scotland welcomes the proposed refocusing of Scottish Enterprise to be a more strategic organisation and the general de-cluttering approach of the Scottish Government.

"The increased role of the local authorities gives considerable concern, given that there are 32 of them and confusion could reign, not to mention their lack of expertise and financial constraints."

But the changes were welcomed Chambers of Commerce around the country.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh CoC, said: "We are delighted the Finance Secretary has chosen to build on the best aspects of Scottish Enterprise work and has recognised the importance of Metropolitan Regions to the future of Scotland's economy."

Se Chief Executive Jack Perry added that the organisation would respond with enthusiasm to the challenges set.

Q&A..

What is happening?

The 21 local enterprise companies which make up SE are being changed to six regional operations.

Why is this being done?

The SNP government pledged to reform SE in their election manifesto. They believe the proposals will cut bureaucracy and deliver increased sustainable economic growth.

What changes will there be?

Most skills and training will be transferred from enterprise networks to a new single skills body made up from the merger of Careers Scotland and learndirect Scotland.